Ryanair hikes bag and airport check-in fees

Ryanair is to further hike fees for checking in at the airport and for carrying luggage in the hold.

The no-frills carrier has pledged to further increase the fees until half of all passengers use the internet to check-in.

Rates will rise from May 5 from £6 to £8 for checking in baggage while the airport check-in fee will go up from £3 to £4.

The no-frills carrier claims the increases are part of a drive to increase the number of passengers checking in online.

“Ryanair encourages passengers to avoid these charges altogether by travelling with our 10kg hand luggage allowance and checking in on-line,” a statement said.

A spokesman said: “Forty per cent of Ryanair passengers currently avoid queues at both check-in and boarding by availing of our free web check-in service, and this increase in baggage fees will result in fewer checked in bags and more passengers changing to online check-in.

“Online check-in is faster, more efficient and costs Ryanair less,” he admitted. “There is no doubt that it is the future for air travel.

“We will continue to increase baggage fees until half of our passengers check-in online, which will allow us to reduce check-in and handling costs and pass on these savings to our passengers in the form of Europe’s guaranteed lowest fares.

“Ryanair will continue to drive down the cost of travel by reducing its average fare (which includes baggage and check-in revenues) in 2008 and guaranteeing the lowest fares on every route.”

by Phil Davies